BIRMINGHAM — Members of the Alabama Educational Television Commission voted at a meeting on Tuesday to continue offering PBS programming through June 30.
The commission oversees the programming and finances of Alabama Public Television (APT).
APT officials were considering cutting ties with PBS. The Republican-controlled Congress and President Donald Trump recently cut federal funding to NPR and PBS. Some conservatives have long advocated for NPR and PBS to lose their federal funding due to the outlets' perceived left-wing biases.
However, Governor Kay Ivey asked the commission on Monday to conduct a public survey and review before disaffiliating from PBS programming.
Les Barnett, a commission member, still made a motion at the meeting on Tuesday to give PBS 180 days' notice that they planned to cut ties, but that motion died due to a lack of a second from another member.
Barnett said the Attorney General's Office had told the commission that the terms of the contract required them to give PBS 180 days' notice before cutting ties.
"It doesn't cost us anything, all that does is give us the option," Barnett said. "If we don't give them the notice then everyday that goes by, we still have to give them that notice."
The motion didn't receive a second from any other board member.
"That would not be in keeping with the governor's letter," Pete Conroy, a commission member, said at the meeting.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email [email protected].
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
